They say that patience is a virtue. Well, biennials are a testament to that. If you’re not patient, you’re likely missing out on some of the finest flowering plants on the planet. That’s because biennial plants don’t flower during the first year, but grow only roots, stems, and leaves.
You won’t see their flowers until perhaps months into their second year. Usually after a period of vernalization, during which the plant is induced to flower thanks to exposure to a period of cold. True biennials will then bloom just once before the plant completes its life cycle and dies.
After the relatively short period of dormancy, your patience will finally pay off, and you’ll be treated to the flowering of the plant. Actually, not all biennials follow an exact two-year life cycle. Some may take longer, up to even three years or more to fully mature. The majority of these plants in the wild, tend to take the longer period to fully mature.
Because of the longer wait until biennial flowering begins, annuals and perennials usually outnumber the biennials in most gardens. However, the reward for waiting can be well worth while, so we hope you’ll reconsider and try some biennials amongst your other plantings. Here’s an abbreviated list of a few biennial gems to entice you to try!
Hollyhocks
These popular biennials have full round flowers that come in many colors. Gardeners will have a full palette on their hands with these. The long flower stalks sometimes reach 9 feet, so hollyhocks allow for a vertical component to your garden design. Some Hollyhocks are also classified as annual or perennial.
Sweet William
The flowers of Sweet William plants are striking and unique. Plus, they come clustered in vibrant colors perfect for any garden. They are relatively easy to grow and feature dense foliage along with the pretty flowers. There are also perennial varieties of Sweet William.
Black-eyed Susan
If you want to generate some buzz around your garden, black-eyed Susan’s are the way to go. That’s because these aptly named flowers attract bees and butterflies. Can’t blame the insects—the vibrant yellow flowers can surely grab anyone’s attention!
Forget-me-nots
With lovely clusters of small flowers in blue, white, or pink hues, forget-me-nots are far from forgettable. In addition, these biennials are relatively easy to grow. They’re pretty hardy, for one thing. They can spread seeds easily and grow anywhere so long as they have moist soil.
Foxgloves
With distinct conical shapes, unique patterns, and lovely colors, foxglove flowers possess a certain charm. They can also grow tall, albeit not quite hollyhock-level tall. They thrive when the conditions are given proper care. There are also perennial varieties, but the best-known one—the common foxglove—is a biennial.
We hope we’ve made a good case for biennials by showcasing those flowering plants. Each one has a unique appeal and would make worthy additions to any garden. Just remember to research how to properly care for the specific biennial you want. This way, you can tailor-fit the growing conditions, so you’ll see the blooms you desire in a couple of years.
If you’re keen to see these beauties, but still not convinced that they’re worth the time and effort it takes, don’t worry. There’s really no need to wait over a year just to adorn your home with bi-annual flowers. You’ll be able to buy some blooms, ready for the vase, at your trusted florist, for sure.